Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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161. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the net personnel gain for the Defence Forces to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44116/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While Covid 19 has impacted on the numbers inducted this year, inductions and training have been resumed taking public health guidelines into account.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that, as of 31st October 2020, 449 personnel were inducted into the Defence Forces while 522 personnel exited the organisation. Of the 522 discharges, 137 were accounted for by personnel who left before they completed their initial training, mainly General Service Recruits. The long run average for turnover of General Service Recruits during training is 22%.

The PSPC report on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces made several recommendations with a view to addressing recruitment and retention issues and these are being progressed.

The Programme for Government provides that a Commission on the Defence Forces will be tasked with examining a range of issues including recruitment and retention.